Relation between intracellular sodium and active sodium transport in rabbit colon: current-voltage relations of the apical sodium entry mechanism in the presence of varying luminal sodium concentrations

Electrolyte transport in the mammalian colon: mechanisms and implications for disease

The colonic epithelium has both absorptive and secretory functions. The transport is characterized by a net absorption of NaCl, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and water, allowing extrusion of a feces with very little water and salt content. In addition, the epithelium does secret mucus, bicarbonate, and KCl. Polarized distribution of transport proteins in both luminal and basolateral membranes enables efficient salt transport in both directions, probably even within an individual cell. Meanwhile, most of the participating transport proteins have been identified, and their function has been studied in detail. Absorption of NaCl is a rather steady process that is controlled by steroid hormones regulating the expression of epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaC), the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, and additional modulating factors such as the serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase SGK. Acute regulation of absorption may occur by a Na(+) feedback mechanism and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Cl(-) secretion in the adult colon relies on luminal CFTR, which is a cAMP-regulated Cl(-) channel and a regulator of other transport proteins. As a consequence, mutations in CFTR result in both impaired Cl(-) secretion and enhanced Na(+) absorption in the colon of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Ca(2+)- and cAMP-activated basolateral K(+) channels support both secretion and absorption of electrolytes and work in concert with additional regulatory proteins, which determine their functional and pharmacological profile. Knowledge of the mechanisms of electrolyte transport in the colon enables the development of new strategies for the treatment of CF and secretory diarrhea. It will also lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiological events during inflammatory bowel disease and development of colonic carcinoma.

Ca-sensitive Na transport in sheep omasum

Na transport across a preparation of sheep omasum was studied. All tissues exhibited a serosa-positive short-circuit current (Isc), with a range of 1-4 microeq. h-1. cm-2. A Michaelis-Menten-type kinetic was found between the Na concentration and the Isc (Michaelis-Menten constant for transport of Na = 6.7 mM; maximal transport capacity of Na = 4.16 microeq. h-1. cm-2). Mucosal amiloride (1 mM), phenamil (1 or 10 microM), or serosal aldosterone (1 microM for 6 h) did not change Isc. Removal of divalent cations (Ca and Mg) enhanced Isc considerably from 2.61 +/- 0.24 to a peak value of 11.18 +/- 1.1 microeq. h-1. cm-2. The peak Isc (overshoot) immediately declined to a plateau Isc of approximately 6-7 microeq. h-1. cm-2. Na flux measurements showed a close correlation between changes in Isc and Na transport. Transepithelial studies demonstrated that K, Cs, Rb, and Li are transported, indicating putative nonselective cation channels, which are inhibited by divalent cations (including Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba) and by (trivalent) La. Intracellular microelectrode recordings from the luminal side clearly showed changes of voltage divider ratio when mucosal divalent cations were removed. The obtained data support the assumption of a distinct electrogenic Na transport mechanism in sheep omasum.

Electrophysiological characterization of the rat epithelial Na+ channel (rENaC) expressed in MDCK cells. Effects of Na+ and Ca2+

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), composed of three subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma), is expressed in several epithelia and plays a critical role in salt and water balance and in the regulation of blood pressure. Little is known, however, about the electrophysiological properties of this cloned channel when expressed in epithelial cells. Using whole-cell and single channel current recording techniques, we have now characterized the rat alpha beta gamma ENaC (rENaC) stably transfected and expressed in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Under whole-cell patch-clamp configuration, the alpha beta gamma rENaC-expressing MDCK cells exhibited greater whole cell Na+ current at -143 mV (-1,466.2 +/- 297.5 pA) than did untransfected cells (-47.6 +/- 10.7 pA). This conductance was completely and reversibly inhibited by 10 microM amiloride, with a Ki of 20 nM at a membrane potential of -103 mV; the amiloride inhibition was slightly voltage dependent. Amiloride-sensitive whole-cell current of MDCK cells expressing alpha beta or alpha gamma subunits alone was -115.2 +/- 41.4 pA and -52.1 +/- 24.5 pA at -143 mV, respectively, similar to the whole-cell Na+ current of untransfected cells. Relaxation analysis of the amiloride-sensitive current after voltage steps suggested that the channels were activated by membrane hyperpolarization. Ion selectivity sequence of the Na+ conductance was Li+ > Na+ >> K+ = N-methyl-D-glucamine+ (NMDG+). Using excised outside-out patches, amiloride-sensitive single channel conductance, likely responsible for the macroscopic Na+ channel current, was found to be approximately 5 and 8 pS when Na+ and Li+ were used as a charge carrier, respectively. K+ conductance through the channel was undetectable. The channel activity, defined as a product of the number of active channel (n) and open probability (Po), was increased by membrane hyperpolarization. Both whole-cell Na+ current and conductance were saturated with increased extracellular Na+ concentrations, which likely resulted from saturation of the single channel conductance. The channel activity (nPo) was significantly decreased when cytosolic Na+ concentration was increased from 0 to 50 mM in inside-out patches. Whole-cell Na+ conductance (with Li+ as a charge carrier) was inhibited by the addition of ionomycin (microM) and Ca2+ (1 mM) to the bath. Dialysis of the cells with a pipette solution containing 1 microM Ca2+ caused a biphasic inhibition, with time constants of 1.7 +/- 0.3 min (n = 3) and 128.4 +/- 33.4 min (n = 3). An increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration from <1 nM to 1 microM was accompanied by a decrease in channel activity. Increasing cytosolic Ca2+ to 10 microM exhibited a pronounced inhibitory effect. Single channel conductance, however, was unchanged by increasing free Ca2+ concentrations from <1 nM to 10 microM. Collectively, these results provide the first characterization of rENaC heterologously expressed in a mammalian epithelial cell line, and provide evidence for channel regulation by cytosolic Na+ and Ca2+.

Functional significance of cell volume regulatory mechanisms

To survive, cells have to avoid excessive alterations of cell volume that jeopardize structural integrity and constancy of intracellular milieu. The function of cellular proteins seems specifically sensitive to dilution and concentration, determining the extent of macromolecular crowding. Even at constant extracellular osmolarity, volume constancy of any mammalian cell is permanently challenged by transport of osmotically active substances across the cell membrane and formation or disappearance of cellular osmolarity by metabolism. Thus cell volume constancy requires the continued operation of cell volume regulatory mechanisms, including ion transport across the cell membrane as well as accumulation or disposal of organic osmolytes and metabolites. The various cell volume regulatory mechanisms are triggered by a multitude of intracellular signaling events including alterations of cell membrane potential and of intracellular ion composition, various second messenger cascades, phosphorylation of diverse target proteins, and altered gene expression. Hormones and mediators have been shown to exploit the volume regulatory machinery to exert their effects. Thus cell volume may be considered a second message in the transmission of hormonal signals. Accordingly, alterations of cell volume and volume regulatory mechanisms participate in a wide variety of cellular functions including epithelial transport, metabolism, excitation, hormone release, migration, cell proliferation, and cell death.

Effect of oxytocin on transepithelial transport of water and Na+ in distinct ventral regions of frog skin (Rana catesbeiana)

Thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic fragments of ventral skin of Rana catesbeiana were analysed regarding the effect of oxytocin on: (1) transepithelial water transport; (2) short-circuit current; (3) skin conductance and electrical potential difference; (4) Na+ conductance, the electromotive force of the Na+ transport mechanism, and shunt conductance; (5) short-circuit current responses to fast Na+ by K+ replacement in the outer compartment, and (6) epithelial microstructure. Unstimulated water and Na+ permeabilities were low along the ventral skin. Hydrosmotic and natriferic responses to oxytocin increased from thorax to pelvis. Unstimulated Na+ conductance was greater in pelvis than in abdomen, the other electrical parameters being essentially similar in both skin fragments. Contribution of shunt conductance to total skin conductance was higher in abdominal than in pelvic skin. Oxytocininduced increases of total skin conductance, Na+ conductance, and shunt conductance in pelvis were significantly larger than in abdomen. An oscillatory behaviour of the short-circuit current was observed only in oxytocin-treated pelvic skins. Decrease of epithelial thickness and increase of mitochondria-rich cell number were observed from thorax to pelvis. Oxytocin-induced increases of interspaces were more conspicuous in pelvis and abdomen than in thorax.

Secretion of K and Cl across colonic epithelium: cellular localization using electron microprobe analysis

Electron microprobe analysis of quick-frozen distal colonic epithelium from guinea pig was used to locate the cells responding to secretory stimuli. Concentrations of Na, K, and Cl were similar for cells of surface and crypt in the unstimulated state, 8, 149, and 46 mmol/kg wet weight, respectively. Stimulation of either K and Cl secretion with prostaglandin E2 or K secretion alone with epinephrine increased Na to approximately 12 mmol/kg wet weight in crypt cells but not in surface cells or cells in the crypt neck. This result supports the location of ion secretory cells in the lower two-thirds of the crypt. In the vacuoles of crypt columnar cells, stimulation of KCl secretion decreased K, S, Mg, and Ca and increased Na and Cl, indicative of the concomitant release of vacuole contents. Mucin granules in crypt goblet cells contained more S and Mg than granules in surface goblet cells. These findings support the concept of differentiation in ion and macromolecular secretory function along the axis from crypt to surface epithelium.

Effects of intracellular signals on Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump activity in the frog skin epithelium

The effects of intracellular signals (pHi, Na+i, Ca2+i, and the electrical membrane potential), on Na+ transport mediated by the Na+/K+ pump were investigated in the isolated Rana esculenta frog skin. In particular we focussed on pHi sensitivity since protons act as an intrinsic regulator of transepithelial Na+ transport (JNa) by a simultaneous control of the apical membrane Na+ conductance (gNa) and the basolateral membrane K+ conductance (gK). pHi changes which modify JNa, gNa and gK, do not affect the Na+ transport mediated by the pump as shown by kinetic and electrophysiological studies. In addition, no changes were observed in the number of 3H-ouabain binding sites in acid-loaded epithelia. Our attempts to modify cellular Ca2+ (by using Ca(2+)-free/EGTA Ringer solution or A23187 addition) also failed to produce any significant effects in the Na+ pump turnover rate or the number of 3H-ouabain binding sites. The Na+ pump current was found to be sensitive to the basolateral membrane potential, saturating for very positive (cell) potentials and a reversal potential of -160 mV was calculated from I-V relationships of the pump. Changes in Na+i considerably affected the Na+ pump rate. A saturating relationship was found between pump rate and Nai+ with maximal activation at Nai+ greater than 40 mmol/l; a high dependence of the pump rate and of the number of 3H-ouabain binding sites was observed in the physiological range of Nai+. We conclude that protons (in the physiological pH range) which act directly and simultaneously on the passive transport pathways (gNa and gK), have no direct effect on the Na+/K+ pump rate. After an acid load, the inhibition of JNa is primarily due to the reduction of gNa. This results in a reduction of Nai and the pump turnover rate then becomes dependent on other pathways of Na+ entry such as the basolateral membrane Na+/H+ exchanger.

An analytical model of ionic movements in airway epithelial cells

A new mathematical model of ion movements in airway epithelia is presented, which allows predictions of ion fluxes, membrane potentials and ion concentrations. The model includes sodium and chloride channels in the apical membrane, a Na/K pump and a cotransport system for Cl- with stoichiometry Na+:K+:2Cl- in the basolateral membrane. Potassium channels in the basolateral membrane are used to regulate cell volume. Membrane potentials, ion fluxes and intracellular ion concentration are calculated as functions of apical ion permeabilities, the maximum pump current and the cotransport parameters. The major predictions of the model are: (1) Cl- concentration in the cell is determined entirely by the intracellular concentration of negatively charged impermeable ions and the osmotic conditions; (2) changes in intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations are inversely related; (3) cotransport provides the major driving force for Cl- flux, increases intracellular Na+ concentration, decreases intracellular K+ concentration and hyperpolarizes the cell interior; (4) the maximum rate of the Na/K pump, by contrast, has little effect on Na+ or Cl- transepithelial fluxes and a much less pronounced effect on cell membrane polarization; (5) an increase in apical Na+ permeability causes an increase in intracellular Na+ concentration and a significant increase in Na+ flux; (6) an increase in apical Cl- permeability decreases intracellular Na+ concentration and Na+ flux; (7) assuming Na+ and Cl- permeabilities equal to those measured in human nasal epithelia, the model predicts that under short circuit conditions, Na+ absorption is much higher than Cl- secretion, in agreement with experimental measurements.

Segmental heterogeneity of basal and aldosterone-induced electrogenic Na transport in human colon

Recent in vitro studies in human colon have demonstrated marked segmental differences in electrogenic Na transport. In the present study, the Na channel blocker amiloride was used further to characterise basal and aldosterone-induced electrogenic Na transport in isolated human distal and proximal colon. Bathed in NaCl Ringer solution, distal and proximal colon exhibited similar basal electrical properties, but the amiloride-sensitive short-circuit current (Isc) was 200% greater in the distal than in the proximal segment. Bathed in choline-Cl Ringer solution, total Isc decreased by 97% in distal colon and by 88% in proximal colon, indicating that Na dependent transport process(es) account almost entirely for the Isc in both segments. Substituting Na2SO4 for NaCl Ringer solution (i) increased amiloride-sensitive Isc by 56% (p less than 0.01) in distal colon but had no effect on amiloride-sensitive Isc in proximal colon, and (ii) decreased amiloride-insensitive Isc in distal and proximal colon by 52% (p less than 0.05) and 81% (p less than 0.001) respectively. After the addition of nystatin to the apical membrane, the relationship between total Isc and mucosal Na concentration indicated that the activity of the basolateral membrane Na pump was similar in both colonic segments. In a further series of experiments, exposure of distal colon to 1 mumol/l aldosterone for 5 h increased total Isc by 52% (p less than 0.05), which reflected stimulation of its amiloride-sensitive component; in contrast, aldosterone had no effect on proximal colon.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Autoregulation of apical sodium entry in the colon of the frog (Rana esculenta)

1. Na transport (INa) in the K-depolarized colon of the frog was investigated by electro-physiological current-voltage analysis. 2. INa and the intracellular Na activity [(Na)c] increased with increasing mucosal Na concentration ([Na]m), whereas the apical Na-permeability (PNam) and the transepithelial resistance (RT) decreased. 3. The results are consistent with a Na self-inhibition mechanism; however, a feedback inhibition of INa by intracellular Na must also be considered.

Sodium pump quantity and turnover in rabbit descending colon at different rates of sodium absorption

3H-Ouabain binding to isolated epithelia and basolateral membrane vesicles of Na+-transporting epithelial cells of rabbit descending colon was determined to quantify the number of operative Na+-pump sites at different rates of transcellular Na+ transport which was varied over a wide range by chronic dietary Na+ restriction or Na+ loading. Both in intact epithelia and in basolateral membrane vesicles the maximal number of specific ouabain binding sites was higher in preparations from animals transporting Na+ at high rates than in preparations from animals transporting Na+ at low rates. The affinity of ouabain to its binding site and the association and dissociation rate constants were not dependent on the rate of Na+ transport. In intact epithelia the Na+ turnover rate per pump unit was twice as high in tissues with high Na+ transport than in tissues with low Na+ transport. In basolateral membrane vesicles the Na+ turnover rate was considerably higher than in intact epithelia and there was no difference in turnover rate between vesicle preparations obtained from tissues transporting Na+ at high or low rates. Hence, factors within the intact cell appear to control the turnover rate of the Na+-pump.

Effect of taurine on the isolated retinal pigment epithelium of the frog: electrophysiologic evidence for stimulation of an apical, electrogenic Na+-K+ pump

The apical surface of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) faces the neural retina whereas its basal surface faces the choroid. Taurine, which is necessary for normal vision, is released from the retina following light exposure and is actively transported from retina to choroid by the RPE. In these experiments, we have studied the effects of taurine on the electrical properties of the isolated RPE of the bullfrog, with a particular focus on the effects of taurine on the apical Na+-K+ pump. Acute exposure of the apical, but not basal, membrane of the RPE to taurine decreased the normally apical positive transepithelial potential (TEP). This TEP decrease was generated by a depolarization of the RPE apical membrane and did not occur when the apical bath contained sodium-free medium. With continued taurine exposure, the initial TEP decrease was sometimes followed by a recovery of the TEP toward baseline. This recovery was abolished by strophanthidin or ouabain, indicating involvement of the apical Na+-K+ pump. To further explore the effects of taurine on the Na+-K+ pump, barium was used to block apical K+ conductance and unmask a stimulation of the pump that is produced by increasing apical [K+]o. Under these conditions, increasing [K+]o hyperpolarized the apical membrane and increased TEP. Taurine reversibly doubled these responses, but did not change total epithelial resistance or the ratio of apical-to-basal membrane resistance, and ouabain abolished these responses. Collectively, these findings indicate the presence of an electrogenic Na+/taurine cotransport mechanism in the apical membrane of the bullfrog RPE. They also provide direct evidence that taurine produces a sodium-dependent increase in electrogenic pumping by the apical Na+-K+ pump.

Electrophysiological analysis of sodium-transport in the colon of the frog (Rana esculenta). Modulation of apical membrane properties by antidiuretic hormone

Sodium transport and apical bioelectrical membrane properties were investigated in frog colonic epithelium in the absence and presence of the antidiuretic hormone arginine-vasotocin (AVT). Apical Na-permeability and intracellular Na-activity were evaluated by analysis of current-voltage relationships in the serosally K-depolarized tissue. Tissue- and apical membrane capacitance were measured by voltages step analysis. The frog colon was found to be a tight epithelium with a transepithelial resistance of 2.63 +/- 0.25 k omega.muF (n = 17). 85-90% of short circuit current (11.2 +/- 1.1 microA.microF.l-1; n = 17) was related to electrogenic Na-transport from mucosa to serosa. Graded doses of amiloride (less than 50 mumol.l-1) induced Michaelis-Menten-type inhibition kinetics. Serosal addition of 10(-6) mol.l-1 AVT induced a significant increase in sodium current (25%), apical sodium permeability (19%) and tissue capacitance (4.3%) whereas intracellular Na-activity remained unchanged. There was a good correlation between increased Na-current and apical Na-permeability. No correlation was found between Na-current and membrane capacitance. Our results demonstrate that in contrast to other species the amphibian colon shows a natriferic reaction to AVT. We suggest that the regulation of Na-transport in frog colon is similar to that in the toad urinary bladder. It is caused by an activation of preexisting apical Na-channels and not by fusion of subapical cytoplasmic vesicles with the apical membrane.

Cell Na+ activities and transcellular Na+ absorption by descending colon from normal and Na+-deprived rabbits

The relation between intracellular Na+ activities, (Na)c, determined employing Na+-selective microelectrodes, and the rates of active Na+ absorption, INa, by rabbit descending colon was examined when INa was varied over a wide range by chronic dietary Na+ deprivation. (Na)c averaged 13 mM and was independent of INa over a sixfold range. Further, the ratios of the slope resistance of the apical membrane (rm) to that of the basolateral membrane (rs) (i.e. rm/rs) in low-transporters (control diet) and high-transporters (Na+-deprived) did not differ significantly inspite of the fact that the Na+ conductance of the apical membranes of high-transporters was, on the average, three times greater than that of the low-transporters. These findings, together with the results reported by other laboratories, strongly suggest that the aldosterone-induced increase in the conductance of the apical membrane to Na+ and, in turn, the rate of entry of Na+ into the absorptive cells are followed by parallel increases in the ability of cells to extrude Na+ across the basolateral membrane in the absence of a sustained increase in (Na)c as well as the conductance of that barrier.

Effects of adrenal steroids on Na transport in the lower intestine (coprodeum) of the hen

The influence of adrenal steroids on sodium transport in hen coprodeum was investigated by electrophysiological methods. Laying hens were maintained on low-NaCl diet (LS), or on high-NaCl diet (HS). HS hens were pretreated with aldosterone (128 micrograms/kg) or dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) before experiment. A group of LS hens received spironolactone (70 or 160 mg/kg, for three days). The effects of these dietary and hormonal manipulations on the amiloride-sensitive part of the short-circuit current were examined. This part is in excellent agreement with the net Na flux, and therefore a direct electrical measurement for Na transport. After depolarizing the basolateral membrane potential with a high K concentration, the apical Na permeability and the intracellular Na activity were investigated by current-voltage relations for the different experimental conditions. Plasma aldosterone concentrations (PA) were low in HS hens, dexamethasone-treated HS hens and spironolactone-treated LS hens (less than 70 pM). In contrast LS hens and aldosterone-treated HS hens had a PA concentration of 596 +/- 70 and 583 +/- 172 pM, respectively. LS diet (chronic stimulation) had the largest stimulatory effect on Na transport and apical Na permeability. Hormone-treated animals had three- to fourfold lower values. Spironolactone supply in LS hens decreased Na transport and apical Na permeability about 50%. The results provide evidence that both mineralo- and gluco-corticoids stimulate Na transport in this tissue by increasing the apical Na permeability. Quantitative differences between acute and chronic stimulation reveal a secondary slower adaptation in apical membrane properties.

Net ion fluxes and zero flux limiting concentrations in rat upper colon and rectum during anaesthesia-induced aldosterone liberation

Thiobutabarbital anaesthetized and abdominally operated control rats develop high endogenous plasma levels of both aldosterone and corticosterone during the course of a 12 h experiment. This effect was used as a model for examining 'acute' steroid action (i) on net ion and water fluxes and (ii) on zero flux luminal limiting concentrations in rat upper colon (proximal 50% of large intestine) and rectum (distal 40%). Experiments of both kinds consisted of 8 independent 90 min measuring periods. (i) In rectum net fluxes of Na, K, osmolytes (sum of all solutes) and water started at low levels around zero, began to rise about 2 h after plasma levels of aldosterone had increased, and reached plateau values around the 6th hour of anaesthesia. In upper colon, fluxes of Na, K, Cl, and osmolytes were high from the beginning and did not vary significantly with time. (ii) At zero flux conditions limiting concentrations of Na in the hormonally unstimulated phase of the experiment were 20 +/- 3 mM in upper colon and 22 +/- 3 mM in rectum. After maximal endogenous aldosterone liberation zero flux concentrations were 5.2 mM in upper colon and 2.2 mM in rectum, corresponding to luminal fluid to plasma ratios (LF/P) of 0.040 and 0.016, respectively. Amiloride reduced the maximal Na gradient in rectum to a LF/P of 0.3 but was not effective in upper colon and did not prevent the stimulating effect of aldosterone in this segment. Under all experimental conditions zero flow concentrations of K were higher than consistent with a solely passive distribution, indicating simultaneous passive and active secretion in both segments. In contrast to the findings of others, the luminal fluid remained isoosmolar with plasma in all zero flux experiments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Exploration of apical sodium transport mechanisms in an epithelial model by network thermodynamic simulation of the effect of mucosal sodium depletion: I. Comparison of three different apical sodium permeability expressions

A model based on that of Koefoed-Johnsen & Ussing (1958) and elaborated by Hviid Larsen (1978) and Lew et al. (1979), is designed using network thermodynamic theory and used to simulate experiments performed on epithelia. Three different expressions for the apical sodium permeability are tested for their ability to reproduce the saturation of the short-circuit current with increasing mucosal sodium concentration. Using the parameters from the previous models, the sodium entry step is shown to be the rate limiting step. If the apical sodium permeability is constant, there is no saturation of the short-circuit current with increasing mucosal sodium. The saturation of the short-circuit current is simulated with versions of the model which include a variable apical sodium permeability. The phenomenological expressions used for the variable permeabilities are those proposed by Fuchs et al. (1977) and Civan & Bookman (1982). They describe the so-called feedback effect of the mucosal and intracellular sodium concentrations.

Exploration of apical sodium transport mechanisms in an epithelial model by network thermodynamic simulation of the effect of mucosal sodium depletion: II. An apical sodium channel and amiloride blocking

This paper is the second part of a modeling study on apical sodium transport mechanisms in tight epithelia. In the first part (this issue) we explored three expressions for the apical membrane sodium permeability (PapNa) and showed that only a PapNa which varies as a function of sodium concentration allows simulation of the well known saturation of the short-circuit current with increasing mucosal sodium concentration. However, the ad hoc expressions used have no mechanistic interpretation. We show here that if, instead of an ad hoc expression, one includes a one-site, two-barrier sodium channel in the apical membrane, the model also simulates this saturation. In addition, the equivalent apical sodium permeability computed from the simulations appears to be very similar to the phenomenological equation used by Fuchs et al. (1977) to fit the decrease of the apical sodium permeability with increasing mucosal sodium. The apical sodium channel simulated here is thus a possible mechanism for the feedback effect of the mucosal and intracellular sodium concentrations on the apical sodium permeability. This channel also allows the simulation of the competitive inhibition of the sodium current by amiloride, and the concomitant inhibition of the apical sodium permeability.

Relationships among sodium current, permeability, and Na activities in control and glucocorticoid-stimulated rabbit descending colon

Effects of a potent synthetic glucocorticoid, methylprednisolone (MP), on transepithelial Na transport were examined in rabbit descending colon. Current-voltage (I-V) relations of the amiloride-sensitive apical Na entry pathway were measured in colonic tissues of control and MP-treated (40 mg im for 2 days) animals. Tissues were bathed mucosally by solutions of various Na activities, (Na)m, ranging from 6.2 to 75.6 mM, and serosally by a high K solution. These I-V relations conformed to the "constant field" flux equation permitting determination of the permeability of the apical membrane to Na, PmNa, and the intracellular Na activity, (Na)c. The following empirical relations were observed for both control and MP-treated tissues: Na transport increases hyperbolically with increasing (Na)m obeying simple Michaelis-Mentin kinetics; PmNa decreased hyperbolically with increasing (Na)m, but was unrelated to individual variations in (Na)c; (Na)c increased hyperbolically with (Na)m; both spontaneous and steroid-stimulated variations in Na entry rate could be attributed entirely to parallel variations in PmNa at each mucosal Na activity. Comparison of these empirical, kinetic relations between control and MP-treated tissues revealed: maximal Na current and PmNa were greater in MP tissues, but the (Na)m's at which current and PmNa were half-maximal were markedly reduced; (Na)c was significantly increased in MP tissues at each (Na)m while the (Na)m at half-maximal (Na)c was unchanged. These results provide direct evidence that glucocorticoids cause marked stimulation of Na absorption across rabbit colon primarily by increasing the Na permeability of the apical membrane. While the mechanism for the increased permeability remains to be determined, the altered relation between PmNa and (Na)m suggests possible differences in the conformation or environment of the Na channel in MP-treated tissues.

Absorption and secretion of potassium by rabbit descending colon

Measurements of K fluxes under a variety of conditions have provided an internally consistent set of data that demonstrate active absorption and active secretion of K by rabbit descending colon in vitro. The properties of K diffusion across the paracellular pathway are those of a free solution shunt. With Na and Cl present on both sides of short-circuited tissues the two opposing active K transport systems balance each other, so that there is no net K transport. Net K absorption results when the transcellular secretory K flux is inhibited by 1. serosal addition of ouabain, 2. serosal addition of furosemide, or 3. omission of either Na or Cl from the serosal solution. Hence basolateral K uptake appears to be mediated by a furosemide-sensitive Na-Cl-K cotransport system in addition to the Na-K exchange pump. Luminal addition of mersalyl or orthovanadate inhibits active K absorption. The adenosine analogue 5'-N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine and the beta-adrenergic agent isoproterenol, added to the serosal solution, cause net K secretion which is inhibitable by furosemide. The secretory K fluxes, both under stimulated and nonstimulated conditions, are abolished by an opposing electrical gradient, suggesting conductive K exit across the apical cell membrane, whereas K absorption appears to be an electroneutral process.

Changes in intracellular sodium with chloride secretion in dog tracheal epithelium

Na-selective microelectrodes were employed to investigate the mechanism of Cl secretion by canine tracheal epithelium. In control tissues with a mean short-circuit current (Isc) of 30.1 microA/cm2, the intracellular Na activity (aiNa) was 10.7 mM. Following steady-state stimulation of Cl secretion with epinephrine (Isc = 126.4 microA/cm2), aiNa was 21.3 mM. These data indicate that there is sufficient energy in the Na gradient to drive Cl secretion by this tissue. When analyzed with simple kinetic models for the Na-K pump, they also suggest that the basolateral entry step involves the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter.

Basolateral membrane potential and conductance in frog skin exposed to high serosal potassium

In studies of apical membrane current-voltage relationships, in order to avoid laborious intracellular microelectrode techniques, tight epithelia are commonly exposed to high serosal K concentrations. This approach depends on the assumptions that high serosal K reduces the basolateral membrane resistance and potential to insignificantly low levels, so that transepithelial values can be attributed to the apical membrane. We have here examined the validity of these assumptions in frog skins (Rana pipiens pipiens). The skins were equilibrated in NaCl Ringer's solutions, with transepithelial voltage Vt clamped (except for brief perturbations delta Vt) at zero. The skins were impaled from the outer surface with 1.5 M KCl-filled microelectrodes (Rel greater than 30 M omega). The transepithelial (short-circuit) current It and conductance gt = -delta It/delta Vt, the outer membrane voltage Vo (apical reference) and voltage-divider ratio (Fo = delta Vo/delta Vt), and the microelectrode resistance Rel were recorded continuously. Intermittent brief apical exposure to 20 microM amiloride permitted estimation of cellular (c) and paracellular (p) currents and conductances. The basolateral (inner) membrane conductance was estimated by two independent means: either from values of gt and Fo before and after amiloride or as the ratio of changes (-delta Ic/delta Vi) induced by amiloride. On serosal substitution of Na by K, within about 10 min, Ic declined and gt increased markedly, mainly as a consequence of increase in gp. The basolateral membrane voltage Vi (= -Vo) was depolarized from 75 +/- 4 to 2 +/- 1 mV [mean +/- SEM (n = 6)], and was partially repolarized following amiloride to 5 +/- 2 mV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relations between chord and slope conductances and equivalent electromotive forces

Nonlinear current-voltage relations for ion movement across biological membranes have been observed and significantly complicate the interpretation of electrical measurements on these transport processes. To enable analysis of the electrical measurements two formalisms have evolved, chord and slope, by which equivalent conductances and electromotive forces (emfs) can be obtained. Because, in the presence of nonlinear relations between current and voltage, the chord conductances and emfs are generally not equal to their slope counterparts, it is imperative that they not be intermixed (8). However, when the functional relationship between the current and voltage is known, such as the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz (GHK) flux equation, it becomes possible to compare the voltage dependencies of these parameters and examine interrelationships between them. In this communication analytical expressions are derived for the chord and slope conductances and emfs for transport of a single ionic species that obeys the GHK flux equation. Using these expressions, it is possible to convert electrical equivalent circuit parameters derived for one formalism to electrical equivalent parameters of the other formalism. Therefore data obtained using either formalism can be used to obtain values for intracellular activity and membrane permeability to the transported ion. Parallel analyses can be applied to other models of ion transport.

Aldosterone does not stimulate the Na:K pump in isolated turtle colon

The study of the mechanisms by which mineralocorticoids stimulate sodium absorption across distal epithelia has focused on three possible sites of action: apical sodium permeability, the basolateral Na:K pump, and the production of high-energy substrates. Recently we developed a method for direct measurement of the current generated by the basolateral Na:K pump of the turtle colon [15]. In the presence of mucosal amphotericin-B and serosal barium the short-circuit current across the colon can be equated with the current produced by active electrogenic exchange of sodium for potassium across the basolateral membrane. This pump current is a measure of the transport capacity of the epithelial Na:K pump that is uncomplicated by changes in apical membrane sodium permeability. Pump currents, thus defined, were compared in control tissues and tissues treated with aldosterone in vitro. After 9 h Na absorption was increased 4-fold in the aldosterone-treated tissues but the values of the pump current were identical in the two groups. This result indicates that acute stimulation of sodium absorption by aldosterone does not occur by stimulating the Na:K pump directly.

Kinetics of the effect of amiloride on the permeability of the apical membrane of rabbit descending colon to sodium

The effects of the addition of graded concentrations of amiloride, (A)m, to the mucosal bathing solution on the permeability of the apical membrane of rabbit descending colon to Na (PmNa) were determined when the Na activity in the mucosal bathing solution, (Na)m, was 18, 32 or 100 mM. PmNa was obtained from current-voltage relations determined on tissues bathed with a high-K serosal solution before and after the addition of a maximally inhibitory concentration of amiloride to the mucosal solution as described by Turnheim et al. (Turnheim, K., Thompson, S.M., Schultz, S.G. 1983. J. Membrane Biol. 76:299-309). The results indicate that: (1) As demonstrated previously (Turnheim et al., 1983), PmNa decreases with increasing (Na)m. (2) PmNa also decreases hyperbolically with increasing (A)m. Kinetic analyses of the effect of amiloride on PmNa are consistent with the conclusions that: (i) the stoichiometry between the interaction of amiloride with apical membrane receptors that results in a decrease in PmNa is one-for-one; (ii) there is no evidence for cooperativity between amiloride and these binding sites; (iii) the value of (A)m needed to halve PmNa at a fixed (Na)m is 0.6-1.0 microM; and, (iv) this value is independent of (Na)m over the fivefold range studied. These findings are consistent with the notion that the sites with which amiloride interacts to bring about closure of the channels through which Na crosses the apical membrane are kinetically distinct from the sites with which (Na)m interacts to bring about closure (i.e., "self-inhibition"). In short, the effects of (Na)m and (A)m on PmNa in this tissue appear to be independent and additive.

Effects of aldosterone and dexamethasone on apical membrane properties and Na-transport of rabbit distal colon in vitro

The effects of pre-treatment in vivo with aldosterone and dexamethasone were investigated on rabbit distal colon. Apical Na-permeability and net sodium transport were measured in vitro. In this epithelium, Na-transport is entirely electrogenic. It can therefore be measured electrically as the fraction of short circuit current which is blockable by amiloride. The epithelia were studied in an Ussing chamber and the electrical values recorded by a computerized digital voltage clamp. Transepithelial parameters, and the transapical membrane parameters (in preparations depolarized from the serosal side) were investigated after treatment with the two hormones. Under transepithelial conditions, aldosterone and dexamethasone stimulated the short circuit current (Isc) from control (17.4 microA/cm2) to a similar degree (86.6 and 93.8 microA/cm2). However, whereas aldosterone did not alter the transepithelial resistance (RT) significantly, dexamethasone reduced RT from 357 to 167 omega X cm2. The stimulation of the potential difference (VT) under control condition (6.6 mV) was therefore significantly different between aldosterone (28.7 mV) and dexamethasone (16 mV). Mucosal amiloride (0.1 mM) inhibited Isc and VT completely under all conditions. Steady state current-voltage relations were obtained by voltage clamping the tissues in "staircase" increments before and after mucosal treatment with amiloride. As measured by the difference between these two states, Na-currents were calculated both for the transepithelial and the transapical condition. Intracellular Na-activity and apical Na-permeability were then calculated by the Nernst and Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equations. These values were found to be increased after treatment with both hormones. Dexamethasone was a more potent stimulator of both values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cation activation of the pig kidney sodium pump: transmembrane allosteric effects of sodium

We have studied activation by Na or Rb ions of different transport modes of the Na-K pump, using phospholipid vesicles reconstituted with pig kidney Na-K-ATPase. The shape of the activation curves, sigmoid or quasi-hyperbolic, depends on the nature of the cation at the opposite surface and not on the specific mode of transport. ATP-dependent Na uptake into K-containing vesicles (Na-K exchange) is activated by cytoplasmic Na along a highly sigmoid curve in the absence of extracellular Na (Hill number, nH = 1.9). Activation displays progressively less-sigmoid curves as extracellular Na is raised to 150 mM (nH = 1.2). The maximal rate of the Na-K exchange is not affected. Na is not transported from the extracellular face by the pump in the presence of excess extracellular K, and the transmembrane effects of the extracellular Na are therefore 'allosteric' in nature. ATP-dependent Na-Na exchange (Lee & Blostein, 1980) and classical ATP-plus-ADP-dependent Na-Na exchange are activated by cytoplasmic Na along hyperbolic curves. ATP-dependent Na uptake into Tris-containing vesicles is activated by cytoplasmic Na along a somewhat sigmoidal curve. (ATP + Pi)-dependent Rb-Rb exchange is activated by cytoplasmic and extracellular Rb along strictly hyperbolic curves. The same applies for Rb-Rb exchange in the presence or absence of ATP or Pi alone. The presence of a high concentration of extracellular Na together with extracellular Rb induces a sigmoidal activation by cytoplasmic Rb of (ATP + Pi)-dependent Rb-Rb exchange (nH = 1.45) but does not affect the maximal rate of exchange. Slow passive Rb fluxes through the pump observed in the absence of other pump ligands (see Karlish & Stein, 1982 alpha) are activated by cytoplasmic Rb along a strictly hyperbolic curve with extracellular Rb, nH = 1.0 (Rb-Rb exchange), along a strongly sigmoid curve with extracellular Na, nH = 1.5 (Rb-Na exchange), and along less-sigmoid curves with extracellular Tris, nH = 1.24 (net Rb flux) or extracellular Li, nH = 1.2 (Rb-Li exchange). Activation of the passive Rb fluxes by extracellular Rb is hyperbolic in the presence of cytoplasmic Rb, Li or Tris but is sigmoid in the presence of cytoplasmic Na (nH = 1.36). Inhibition by cytoplasmic Na of passive Rb fluxes from the cytoplasmic to the extracellular face of the pump depends on the nature of the cation at the extracellular surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Passive cation permeability of turtle colon: evidence for a negative interaction between intracellular sodium and apical sodium permeability

The role of intracellular sodium in the regulation of apical sodium permeability was investigated in an electrically "tight" epithelium, the turtle colon. In the presence of low mucosal sodium (3 mM) and serosal ouabain, an inhibitor of the basolateral sodium pump, the apical membrane retained a substantial amiloride-sensitive, sodium conductance and the basolateral membrane exhibited a barium-sensitive potassium conductance in parallel with a significant sodium (and lithium) conductance. In the presence of a high mucosal sodium concentration (114 mM), however, inhibition of active sodium absorption by ouabain led to a disappearance of the amiloride-sensitive, transepithelial conductance that was due, at least in part, to a virtual abolition of the apical sodium permeability. Two lines of evidence indicate that this permeability decrease was dependent upon an increase in intracellular sodium content. First, raising the mucosal sodium concentration from 3-114 mM in the presence of ouabain reversibly inhibited the amiloride-sensitive conductance. The time course of the decline in conductance paralleled the apparent intracellular accumulation of sodium in exchange for potassium, which was monitored as a transient deflection in the amiloride-sensitive, short-circuit current. Second, the inhibitory effect of mucosal sodium-addition was markedly attenuated by serosal barium, which prevented the accumulation of sodium by blocking the electrically coupled, basolateral potassium exit. These results support the notion of a "negative feedback" effect of intracellular sodium on the apical sodium permeability.

Electrophysiology of Necturus urinary bladder: II. Time-dependent current-voltage relations of the basolateral membranes

As reported previously (S.R. Thomas et al., J. Membrane Biol. 73:157-175, 1983) the current-voltage (I-V) relations of the Na-entry step across the apical membrane of short-circuited Necturus urinary bladder in the presence of varying mucosal Na concentrations are (i) time-independent between 20-90 msec and (ii) conform to the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz constant field flux equation for a single cation over a wide range of voltages. In contrast, the I-V relations of the basolateral membrane under these conditions are (i) essentially linear between the steady-state, short-circuited condition and the reversal potential (Es); and (ii) are decidedly time-dependent with Es increasing and the slope conductance, gs, decreasing between 20 and 90 msec after displacing the transepithelial electrical potential difference. Evidence is presented that this time-dependence cannot be attributed entirely to the electrical capacitance of the tissue. The values of gs determined at 20 msec are linear functions of the short-circuit current, Isc, confirming the relations reported previously, which were obtained using a more indirect approach. The values of Es determined at 20 msec are significantly lower than any reasonable estimate of the electromotive force for K across the basolateral membrane, indicating that this barrier possesses a significant conductance to other ions which may exceed that to K. In addition, these values increase linearly with decreasing Isc and approach the value of the electrical potential difference across the basolateral membrane observed when Na entry across the apical membrane is blocked with amiloride or when Na is removed from the mucosal solution. A possible explanation for the time-dependence of Es and gs is offered and the implications of these findings regarding the interpretation of previous microelectrophysiologic studies of epithelia are discussed.

Sodium-coupled sugar transport: effects on intracellular sodium activities and sodium-pump activity

Intracellular sodium activities, (Na)c, were determined in Necturus small intestine before and after addition of galactose to the mucosal bathing solution. In the absence of galactose, (Na)c averaged 12 millimoles per liter. Within 2 minutes after the addition of galactose to the mucosal solution, (Na)c increased to a mean value of 20 millimoles per liter and then declined, in parallel with an increase in transcellular sodium transport, to a value that did not differ significantly from that observed in the absence of the sugar. The final steady state in the presence of galactose was characterized by a three- to fourfold increase in the rate of transcellular Na+ transport in the absence of a significant increase in (Na)c. Thus, the increase in steady-state basolateral pump activity cannot be attributed to an increase in the intracellular sodium transport pool.

Mechanism of Cl secretion in canine trachea: changes in intracellular chloride activity with secretion

Cl-sensitive microelectrodes were employed to investigate the mechanism of Cl secretion by canine tracheal epithelium. In control tissues with a mean calculated short-circuit current (Isc) of 18.1 microA/cm2, the intracellular Cl activity (aiCl) was 47.2 mM. This value is 30.1 mM (or 27.0 mV) above the electrochemical equilibrium for Cl across the apical membrane. Epinephrine, which stimulates Cl secretion, increased the calculated Isc to 160 microA/cm2 and decreased aiCl to 32.2 mM, a value only 11.2 mM (or 10.9 mV) above equilibrium for the apical membrane. These results indicate a secretagogue induced decrease in the impedance to Cl exist from the cell via the apical membrane. From these and prior measurements we calculate that epinephrine-induced Cl efflux from the cell can occur by simple diffusion across the apical membrane. Further implications of these calculations are also discussed.